No, I’m not talking about “sharing” music in the P2P/Kazaa/stealing vein. I’m talking about listening to the music on your iPod without headphones, the old-fashioned way: through speakers. I know. It’s hard to believe. People still listen to music “in public”. There are many ways to use your iPod with your stereo (whatever your definition of “stereo” might be). Before we “count the ways”, remember a couple of things.

Although the iPod can store and play uncompressed AIFF files (the raw data music files on CDs, about 30MB file size for a three-minute song) and music encoded in Apple Lossless Codec (CD-quality sound, but at one-third of AIFF file size), most people have some version of compressed audio on their iPod. It could be MP3 (still the most prominent personal digital music format), or AAC (Apple’s Advanced Audio Codec, the format of songs purchased from the iTunes Music Store).

Compressed formats were designed for portability, not perfection. The loss of highs and lows and other nuances that come with compression can be more evident through high-quality speakers than through $15 headphones. Just something to consider.

So, how do you connect your iPod to your stereo? There are two ways for music to escape your iPod: through the mini-plug audio out port used with headphones, and through the FireWire/USB2.0 connector on the bottom of the iPod (which also serves as the portal to your computer and the power source to charge the battery).

Let’s get to specifics. If you have powered speakers that connect via a mini-plug, just plug the speakers into the iPod and you be jammin’. How about older stereos that only accept audio input through “RCA jacks” (the two-pronged, red and white connectors)? Your local consumer electronics store has inexpensive adapters that will split the mini-plug into the two RCA jack channels.

Now that you’re connected to the stereo, how do you control the iPod? It’s a bit awkward to walk over to the stereo, pick up the iPod, and search for the next song. You can stay firmly ensconced on the couch using TEN Technology’s naviPod (www.tentechnology.com, $49.95). The naviPod is an infrared controller system comprised of a handheld remote, an IR receiver that attaches to the headphone jack on the iPod, and a chrome-plated stand. With the naviPod you can Play, Pause, Next Track, Previous Track, Fast Forward, Rewind, and adjust volume, all within reach of the Cheetos.

I know what you’re thinking. You’re remembering the last sentence of last week’s article. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to simply bring my iPod home from the road, and plug it right into a great-sounding home stereo? Well, you and Bose, the makers of fine speakers and the popular Wave Radio system, are thinking the same thing (great minds DO think alike).

Enter the Bose SoundDock Digital Music System (www.bose.com, $299). The SoundDock consists of a dock for either your iPod or iPodmini, a remote-controller, and a flat panel of signature quality Bose speakers.

A similar but more portable and less expensive solution is Altec Lansing’s inMotion iM3 Portable Audio System (www.alteclansing.com, $179). The iM3 system can be powered by an AC adapter or get more than 24 more hours of continuous playback with four AA batteries. It has four speakers, a built-in dock, remote controller, protective carry bag, and can serve as a travel alarm through the iPod’s Alarm Clock feature. Speaking of travel – remove the iPod from the dock, and the iM3 folds into a package about the size of a VHS tape.

© 2004 Peter F. Zimowski